What A Difference Kiddos Make!

Mary brought her three little girls to our meetup in the park yesterday morning. It made SUCH a difference. Even though us groggy adults were experienced and/or open newcomers, I think everyone would agree that this session was MADE by laughing with (and at) those gals. 

Kids are such natural laughers, and are so regularly silly and full of play. I want to bottle it! Was one of them wearing her felt purse around her neck the entire time? Yes. Did the other one throw herself on the floor laughing during every other exercise? Yes. Were there more natural than fake laughs from the adults because there were such joyful participants? Yes. 

Did any of those three girls EVER let their heads get the better of them, worry about the grounds crew thinking they looked stupid, or fret about finances during our session? I doubt it.

Thanks, Mary, for bringing in such experts to give our group an energizing boost. 

Live Like A Toddler

This article made me smile. I love the aspect of Laughter Yoga that encourages us to celebrate childlike playfulness. This takes it to another level!

Laughter Connections

I met someone at a happy hour the other day and as she was leaving, I casually mentioned to her that I lead Laughter Yoga. She gasped and started gushing about how she had just moved from Australia, where she did LY once a week, and she was in desperate need of finding a local group to continue! I am finding it to be one of those things where you immediately feel like fast friends with someone who has discovered and loved laughter yoga. It was certainly a wonderful moment for me.

Keeping It Simple

One philosophy that was important to me to maintain when starting this group was to keep it simple. I wanted it to be free, open to anyone, and without much fuss. Although this spot may not make it through the winter, it works wonderfully for now. There is no money involved whatsoever, hardly any drama or worry, and anyone can come. I bring a big tapestry so nobody has to bring mats, people can simply come as they are and leave different.

I like that. =:^D

World Laughter Day!

It’s today! Are you celebrating?

Wait, what?

You guys! I have a wildly fun laughter club meeting once a week. And after a year of over thinking it, it’s easy and free and happening. And it’s so fun. Who knew I just had to start? Hope to see you Thursday.

Growing My Laughter

I have been so re-invigorated by getting back into this and I cannot wait to make it a bigger part of my life. With no particular timeline (could be over the next few years) and in no particular order, here are some of my laughter ideas:

• Create a daily laughter ritual for myself. Be it first thing in the morning or at lunch or bedtime, I want to create a habit for myself that involves laughing every single day.
• Try virtual laughter. They have phone lines and Skype sessions and I want to participate in that community (besides my sister and I just giggling/bellowing/losing it on the phone for 2-3 minutes at the start of every conversation). 
• Let LY create more opportunities for me to interact with kids. As a former camp counselor, I miss hanging out with kids! I can imagine so many possibilities for ways to share laughter yoga with schools and organizations. They are so naturally gifted at the art of laughing.
• Help to create awareness of laughter yoga. I think I am already doing this, but I want to remember to actively keep this as a goal, being an ambassador for the practice when I can.

What are you looking to do next with your laughter?

That was a great game.

First session was a smashing success! Thanks to the 6 people who joined me in the glorious Tower Grove Park for 45 minutes of delight. Four people had never tried it before, and their willingness to try something new (and rock it) was so fun to witness.

I couldn’t have asked for a better start to what is quickly becoming the best part of my week! Laughing outdoors was the best pre-going-to-work routine I’ve ever had.

Just start.

Today I guest-blogged on the legendary blog of Jamey Stegmaier. And tomorrow, I complete my throwing down of the gauntlet by starting a laughter club. Instead of waiting for perfect plans, I am making my own. Is this the ideal way to start a laughter club? Who cares! Does such a thing even exist? I wrote about the importance of just starting something, regardless of it being the best way to do so ever.

What do you keep putting off that really truly could be completed in the next two months? Challenge extended. It worked for me. See you tomorrow for some laughter yoga.

Giggles, Emma

What IS laughter yoga?

It’s been a while since I posted the basics, and I’ve been talking about it a lot. So here ya go:

Quick history lesson: Dr. Madan Kataria, an MD from India, was researching the benefits of laughter for a journal article in 1995. Beyond finding all of the wonderful benefits laughter provides, he also discovered that your body does not differentiate between acted and genuine laughter and the benefits are reaped regardless. What started as a group of friends telling jokes in the park has evolved into a worldwide movement called Laughter Yoga, a blend of yogic deep breathing, some stretching, and laughter exercises that cultivate child-like playfulness. I’m going to spare you the full brunt of what laughter yoga is, and just direct you here if you’re curious!

So what does this mean? This is an “exercise” that anyone can do. Age and skill level don’t matter, experience and equipment not necessary. Beyond the basics of boosting your immune system (increases your natural killer cells that destroy viruses and tumors), releasing endorphins that can alleviate pain, laughter yoga can sometimes lessen the effects of countless diseases and helping to clear out your lymphatic system. While a normal breath only empties and fills about a quarter of your lungs, you can only fill up as much lung space as you have available, so the key isn’t to take deeper breaths in so much as truly exhale intensely, making room for new, fresh air. The best, most effective way to get a full exhale is to laugh! We clear out the stale air from our lungs, take deep breaths to replenish what we lost, and shaboom, our lungs are rejuvenated and fresh oxygen gets to our entire body (and brain). 

Also, your body cannot physically stress while you are laughing. You can be fake laughing (your body doesn’t know the difference) and still thinking about work, but your body is not experiencing physical stress. It also helps with emotional balance and being present in the moment. Lastly, in terms of a core workout, 1 minute of belly laughter = 3 minutes on a rowing machine. How’s that for getting more for your time?

Laughter yoga usually starts with the leader explaining a few basics (like how you should fake it ‘till you make it, your body doesn’t know the difference) and then will lead you through a series of exercises. They will rotate through a) taking a deep breath, stretching up to the sky, and letting it all out while you try to touch your toes, b) proclaiming “Ho, Ho, Ha, Ha, Ha, while clapping and walking around, c) exclaiming as a group “Very good, very good, YAY!” and d) laughter exercises (many of which are silly pantomime games like pretending you have laughter pills in your hand, taking one, and giggling!).

After about 40 minutes of laughter yoga, the leader will lead a “laughter meditation” which is just freeflow laughter and will then lead the group through a guided relaxation of the entire body. You leave feeling a wonderful balance of refreshed and energized and relaxed. 

Interested? Join me on Thursday mornings from 8-8:45am at the playground pavilion in the middle of Tower Grove Park! (it’s free)